Kiaat

Kiaat is a tropical hardwood prized for its rich golden-brown to reddish-brown heartwood with darker streaks and straight to interlocked grain, offering a warm and luxurious appearance. Native to Southern Africa, Kiaat is valued for its durability, stability, and fine texture, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its straight, uniform grain allows Kiaat to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that highlights its vibrant color and natural figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, small furniture accents, and specialty crafts, Kiaat combines elegance with functional performance.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Pterocarpus angolensis

Family: Fabaceae

Origin: Southern Africa (Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe)

Common & Trade Names

Kiaat, African Teak, Pterocarpus, Sapele-related trade name (occasionally)

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: golden-brown to reddish-brown with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Straight to interlocked grain

Fine to medium texture

Dense, stable, and durable

Smooth natural luster

Workability

Machines, sands, and turns well with sharp tools

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for small precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

Kiaat wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust extraction, respirator, and eye protection when machining or sanding.

Kiaat wood, Pterocarpus angolensis, African hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood